HATING ON THE FOUNDERS

“The times have found us.”- Nancy Pelosi quoting Thomas Paine on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Oct. 31, 2019 

   In her address to the House, standing next to a cardboard American flag, Pelosi called on founders like Ben Franklin for inspiration and guidance in her “prayerful” duties impeaching Trump. Who were these founders? We know all about Thomas Jefferson’s slaves, but what about Franklin? 

    Benjamin Franklin was a printer and young army captain during the War with the French in the 1750’s. He had yet to become the great statesman and scientist. He was based out of Philadelphia but many times found himself stationed in the woods of Pennsylvania, like George Washington, attempting to protect British settlers and Moravian missionaries from attack by the indigenous insurgency. The enemy was made up of various outliers amongst the Huron, Shawnee and Delaware tribes, fighting alongside the French in the woods of New York and Pennsylvania. 

    During this time period Franklin printed English language transcripts of Indian “treats” involving many tribes on both sides of the war. These pamphlets of often celebratory gatherings at Lancaster, Albany, Logstown and other “edge of woods” outposts shine a light on what our so-called “Founders” were doing to the Indians as they were just thinking about forming empire. Real estate was always the main issue. The Indians never closed on a good deal. Even as the tribes were repeatedly cheated, like Trump, Benjamin Franklin saw these printed transcripts as “perfect.” Any objective reading illustrates that the white men clearly indicted themselves in plain view. The canary is missing and look whose got feathers stuck to his lips. 

    When English rule was replaced the founders may have chosen a democratic republic, leaving the Brits with their monarchy, but make no mistake this new system was based on Christian self interest, white supremacy, slavery, capitalism and an officially stated policy of extermination of the Indian. We will remove you and take your land—legally. God Bless America.

   The American Republic has survived specifically because it was formed to seize territory, protect and perpetuate the ruling class—men like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin—while making a lot of money. Look whose pictures are on the bills in your pocket. Outside of corporate interests, power rests in three specific branches of government- legislature, executive and judiciary. This separation of powers is a farcical smoke screen, as all power rests in the corporate/political elite class of white males, that populate the majority of all three branches. Separate but intwined.

    The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are clear guidelines towards due process in governing a people that became rich and powerful beyond their wildest dreams. Of all things, “the pursuit of happiness” is codified by law. Genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, homelessness, isolationism, extreme poverty, mass incarceration, and historical amnesia are everyone’s (rich and poor alike’s) inheritance. Hope that makes you happy. The founders could not specifically foresee Donald Trump in the giddiness of the post-revolution era, but they should not be surprised (sitting in the time machine) that once again a narcissistic, real estate magnate (like George Washington) has been elected to the highest office in the land. That seems to have been the preferred presidential stock all along. 

     I don’t know about that “phony Emoluments Clause” but Trump is right about one thing. He is like George Washington—just not in the “I never tell a lie and always pay my subcontractors.” way. The presidential comparison may be a bit of a stretch, but for the real estate branding angle. Washington was a massive land owner and rich businessman. He had great name recognition, just like Trump. “Washington slept here” signs kept many a bed and breakfast in business for years. The Trump brand may not age as well.  

    

    Yesterday the House voted on formalizing the impeachment process of Donald Trump. The vote predictably fell along party lines. All the evidence points towards The Donald violating his oath of office repeatedly. No surprise. He has the attention span of a nine year old with Asperger’s. I don’t think he was paying too close attention when it was administered. That’s why the Republicans just want to discuss process. They have no argument when it comes to defending the Supreme Leader’s crooked dealings while in office. The “Founders” are invoked on both sides of the aisle. Everybody has a different spin. Even Ivanka tweeted a Jefferson quote to support her dad. ”Surrounded by enemies and spies….” It had nothing to do with impeachment. Would Ben Franklin or Jefferson have wanted Trump removed from office? Will the separation of powers work? What would George Washington do? How am I going to get any deer hunting done during the impeachment hearings? We’ll see what happens. Tom Paine’s words again ring true. “The times have found us.”